France, which starts slowly, seeks to exploit its scary potential

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA (Reuters) – France had a slow start to the World Cup, but four goals against Argentina last weekend remind Uruguay that they are able to produce when both teams meet quarterfinals on Friday.

Men Didier Deschamps have always been among the favorites of the tournament. An impressive number of international warm-ups and a shy start in Russia suggest that their reputation is stronger than reality.

This was dispelled last Saturday in Kazan while Kylian Mbappe, 19, and his teammates were delighted with the 4-3 win over Argentina in 16th.

Not only did the French midfielder cancel Lionel Messi's threat. but ahead of the pace of the teenager and his combination with teammates showed what their team can achieve.

"The group matches were sometimes arduous," said assistant coach Guy Stephan, of their two wins and a draw in Group C. "But we have to understand that we have come up against well organized opponents

"We understand the desire of this French team to succeed, score goals and be creative."

Nor will it be necessary against Uruguay, which "Only conceded once in the tournament and boasted stingy defense." They are a compact block, closely lined up next to each other and with massive solidarity, "he added. Stephan.

But if any camp at the arsenal to demolish them, it is France, with Mbappe at the offensive bar and Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud at his side. [19659004] "I do not think that France has had such a powerful attack since 1998 when it won the French Cup. u World, "said former coach of Croatia Slaven Bilic, who is a television expert in Moscow during the tournament.

"When I saw Mbappe sprinting at 70 yards to earn a penalty in France, I thought" it's incredible, "former Swiss striker Stéphane Chapuisat told reporters this morning. week.

"In addition, he has another quality that we do not often see in goal scorers: altruism."

Mbappe feeds his teammates as much as he contributes to

"Mbappe will not have a 10th place against Uruguay that he got against Argentina," predicted the former international Uruguayan Diego Lugano from Friday's match at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium

"But that may mean that Griezmann and Giroud will be able to take advantage of not having so much attention."

Where they win France will face Belgium or Brazil in the semi-finals A clash against Brazil would evoke France's only triumph in the World Cup 20 years ago, certainly a source of inspiration if we want to overtake Uruguay.